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Just to summarize for OP - you need sufficient wages in your base period, be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able and available for work, and actively seek employment. The monetary requirements are pretty specific so check those carefully.
Also worth mentioning - if you're eligible for other types of benefits like workers compensation or social security, that might affect your unemployment benefits. Washington ESD has specific offset rules for these situations.
Last piece of advice - keep copies of everything. Screenshot your weekly claim submissions, save emails from Washington ESD, keep your job search log updated. If there are ever questions about your claim, having documentation will save you a lot of headaches.
You've got this! The first application is always the most overwhelming but once you get into the routine of weekly claims it becomes pretty automatic. Focus on getting that initial claim filed correctly and everything else will follow.
One thing that confused me at first - you file your initial claim for the week you become unemployed, but then you file weekly claims going forward. So if you lost your job on Wednesday, you'd still file for that full week.
Bottom line - if you lost your job through no fault of your own and worked enough in the past year, you probably qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington. The weekly amount varies but it's designed to replace part of your lost income while you find new work.
And remember, if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly, Claimyr is there to help you get through their phone system. Made all the difference for me!
Don't overthink this too much. Thousands of people collect both unemployment and disability benefits simultaneously. As long as you report everything honestly and meet the work availability requirements, you should be fine.
If you run into any issues or have questions about specific situations, that Claimyr service that was mentioned earlier really does help cut through the phone tree nightmare. Sometimes talking to an actual Washington ESD rep is the only way to get clear answers for complex situations like this.
Good to know there's a backup option if I can't figure things out through the normal channels. Hopefully I won't need it but nice to have as a safety net.
Natasha Ivanova
Does anyone know if working part-time while collecting unemployment affects your benefits? I might want to pick up some freelance work to supplement the income.
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Jamal Carter
•You can work part-time and still collect partial unemployment benefits, but you have to report all earnings on your weekly claims. Washington ESD will reduce your benefits based on how much you earn.
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NebulaNomad
•The general rule is they reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar once you earn more than about $200 in a week, but it's worth checking the exact thresholds.
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Javier Garcia
I went through this exact situation 6 months ago. The benefit calculation seemed fair based on my previous earnings, but the real challenge was navigating all the requirements and getting answers when I had questions. Having a reliable way to contact Washington ESD makes a huge difference in the whole process.
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•What was the hardest part of the process for you?
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Javier Garcia
•Honestly, just getting someone on the phone when I needed clarification about job search requirements. The automated system and website only go so far when you have specific questions about your situation.
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